Students partner to provide Dignity Bibs

Students at Bluffton Middle School are helping improve daily life for local nursing home residents through a project focused on comfort, independence and dignity.
Members of the school’s Beta Club recently partnered with Sprenger Health Care facilities in Bluffton and Port Royal to provide “dignity bibs,” adaptive garments designed to protect clothing during meals while preserving a sense of normalcy for residents.
Unlike traditional bibs, dignity bibs are made to resemble everyday clothing accessories, such as scarves or napkins, allowing residents to maintain a sense of normalcy. They are typically made from soft, absorbent fabrics and are easy to secure and remove, ensuring both practicality and comfort.
At Sprenger Nursing Home, dignity bibs play a key role in enhancing the dining experience for residents. Staff members provide these bibs to individuals who may have difficulty with motor skills, tremors or other conditions that make eating independently challenging.
“Our goal is to preserve dignity in every aspect of care,” said Heather Hood, a Bluffton resident who works at a Sprenger Health Care facility in Port Royal. “Something as simple as a dignity bib can make a significant difference in how our residents feel about themselves during daily activities like dining.”

In addition to protecting clothing, the bibs help reduce anxiety and allow residents to maintain a greater sense of independence during meals.
Dr. Linda Tuttle and her students organized a collection of flannel shirts to be repurposed into dignity bibs. The project also involved members of a local Relief Society group, who hosted a workshop to teach volunteers how to create the garments.
“We invited our friends and neighbors of all faiths to join us at our Women’s Relief Society Conference to learn how to create them,” said Michelle Morgan, a Relief Society president. “Tara Erwin of Beaufort demonstrated the process and then assisted groups cutting, pinning and sewing.”
Hood said the bibs were part of the Relief Society’s “250 acts of service” effort marking the nation’s 250th birthday.
Organizers said the collaboration highlights how small, practical items can have a meaningful impact on quality of life for older adults.
Sprenger Health Care staff continue to incorporate the bibs into daily care while expressing appreciation for the students and volunteers who contributed to the effort.

Coleman Loader is a Beta Club student at Bluffton Middle School.